Cultural Life on North Shore-North Fork of Long Island (Riverhead: mortgage, mcmansions)

[BovinaCowHateWindTurbines]

Originally Posted by jenbooks13

But I just checked your other posts and you said you moved away to get off that crappy spit of sand, or something like that.
So last January you weren't too happy with LI!

Yes that is true; I think I said sand spit which is how I like to refer to it, or sand bar. That LI is gone. But very loved. Nothing like it.

I moved because after living a "rural life" and at the same time going to school and working on farms and then vineyards I decided that the quality of life that I enjoyed was gone.

Long story short unfortunately when it takes me 45 minutes to get past a Agri-tain-ment farm to go 5 miles I give up.

I moved to get that back....

[BovinaCowHateWindTurbines]

Originally Posted by Joe L

Many old scientists (fixed) from Brookhaven hang out at "The Old Valise" in Mattituck

It was the "Broken Down Valise" it changed? Great place lol - after Captain Ahab's (legends) - not many scientists when I was there - well maybe???

[jenbooks13]

Originally Posted by BovinaCowHateWindTurbines

Yes that is true; I think I said sand spit which is how I like to refer to it, or sand bar. That LI is gone. But very loved. Nothing like it.

I moved because after living a "rural life" and at the same time going to school and working on farms and then vineyards I decided that the quality of life that I enjoyed was gone.

Long story short unfortunately when it takes me 45 minutes to get past a Agri-tain-ment farm to go 5 miles I give up.

I moved to get that back....

It would be interesting to hear some reminiscing about that life gone by if you feel like it. I recently read an interesting book, whose name escapes me, but it was all about farm life growing up. She's in her 80's. It received a front page NY Times book review rave.

[BovinaCowHateWindTurbines]

Well I remember when no one wanted to buy Robins Island for 1.2 million and I hounded every person and family member I knew to drum it up. O well can't imagine what it is worth now.

It got scooped by a wealthy south fork family; probably for the best...

No more gettin buck shot in your butt when you roam the Island and the caretaker finds you... And there was a guy in New Suffolk who lived there all his life and never went around Robins - I found that odd. Anyone remember the "real" old post office in New Suffolk, and the old submarine barns? Windsurfing at 5th...

[maestro]

I have family and friends out on the North Fork, and they really enjoy a semi-quiet life. From a "cultural" perspective, it's all what you make it. My friends enjoy the beach, the neighborhood restaurants, the shopping, plus they can always drive up island to do any heavy duty shopping or head to NYC for Broadway, sports, etc.

[maestro]

also, I'll throw in the fact that my buddy's wife is from the Midwest but moved to the North Fork with little to no idea of what life was like out there. She likes it though, because she got involved in the community, she joined local social groups, and she utilizes the "pluses" of the area (the beach, the shopping, etc).

[Joe L]

Originally Posted by BovinaCowHateWindTurbines

It was the "Broken Down Valise" it changed? Great place lol - after Captain Ahab's (legends) - not many scientists when I was there - well maybe???

Yep "Broken Down Valise" (Locals call it "The V" )
I live off Wesphalia and go in there for a few 2X a week GREAT PLACE.

I love when Illegels waiting for the train to Riverhead pop in and start begging for money for "Uno Corona" --cant speak English or no ID get thrown out.

-J

[Joe L]

Originally Posted by BovinaCowHateWindTurbines

It got scooped by a wealthy south fork family; probably for the best...

Yep, He had a huge 4th July party the band was Chrissy Hynd and The Pretenders.
Full stage, lights and PA.
A buddie of mine worked the launch from New Suffolk.
I didnt know Chrissy had a 20 year old kid ?

Yes I remember the old Post Office, carriage house and burnt down hotel on Nassau Point as a kid

-Joe

[Jrprofess]

Originally Posted by clamboy

That is true.

Nofo(From Jamesport East) locals dont care for UpIslanders.

They hate the McMansions, traffic and attitude.

Cant say I blame em

Beehave...Eastern Pavillion and Paula Jeans used to cater to the older SB crowd.

Wheres it at now?

I know a few frequent at La Plage in WR.

C

I know little of this Up-islander phenomenon, and would venture to guess that aside from a handful of posters on this board and a few older scientists from the Brookhaven hey days, you will most likely never be refused service at some local watering hole because you somehow exude a "west of Jamesport" aura.

For the OP, if you are heading this far out, stay around Stony Brook and the university community. There are a number of artist enclaves and areas of creativity throughout Old Field and Poquott and of course surrounding the university itself. I get your struggle. I went to NYU, and everything is an adjustment (yeah, I am one of those guys Clamboy). Also, the old LIU campus in Southhampton used to run great writer's programs year-round and I believe it is back on now that the Stony Brook transition is over. Good luck to you.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by clamboy

Heres some local papers:
The Times/Review Newspapers Online!

Keep in mind most people come here to get away from it all.
No offense taken or given...but God willing this will never be anything like the City.

Heres a few Theaters/Attractions etc

Staller Center for the Arts
Welcome To Theatre Three
Gateway Playhouse 2007 Its south shore but close
Atlantis Marine World Aquarium
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/01/re...=1&oref=slogin
Cinema Arts Centre - Huntington, NY
BNL Science Museum
Plenty to do from Greenport to Huntington.
Keep in mind youre approx. one town north of Middle Island so the Island is your oyster or clam

Youre about an hour or less from anywhere.
Long Island Museum - Museums, History and Cultural Heritage Long Island New York







C

Bouncing off ya, Clamboy to give something of a response to Jenbooks13.

Jenbooks13 -- Mr. CB has given you an idea as to some of the culture that is either within or a short hop from the SUNY SB area. I am not going to relist his list -- it was very good and comprehensive.

Many people within the community take advantage of the Arts facilities on campus; there are many professional music, dance and theatre groups as well as acrobatics and such fare as Cirque de Soleil (sp?), and an incredible film festival every summer.

Within the community there is Gallery North, which is a small local gallery that has been in existence for over 40 years. The main focus of the Gallery has been to provide Long Island based artists with a venue that highlights their talents. There are several festivals each year that are fantastic and involve closing down the streets.

I have friends and clients who are provosts, deans, admins and adjuncts at SUNYSB and others who are affiliated with Renaissance Technologies, surgeons, doctors and department heads at the local hospitals (UHSB, ST Charles, Mather, St Catherine.) To give you some idea as to what people do:

*Are active in the Three Village Historical Society. It is a very large chapter that has received an award from the History Channel for in depth research within the community. Our annual house tour is 11/30-12/1. It's worth checking out if you're in the area. Tickets/programs must be purchased in advance. homepage
*Take part in the local civics (very strong civic association)
*Enjoy the varied performing arts offerings and art displays at the University
*Head into Port Jeff to catch a play, dinner or to bar hop!
*Head into Huntington for the Cinema Arts Centre, dinner or to bar hop!
*Form book/reading clubs
*Enjoy the offerings of the local Neighborhood house (yoga classes, writing workshops, dance classes, etc.) The Setauket Neighborhood House
*Shoot darts at the Checkmate (yes, local folks, the Checkmate has become rather diverse!)
*Travel into NYC for Bway, the Met, etc.
*Are active in the local Ducks Unlimited Chapter
*There is an equestrian center that is in the process of being rebuilt and preserved. Are you hands on people?
* Join in on the Greening committees for the local parks and train station
* Protest the War in Iraq! Saturday mornings the North Country Peace Group protests the war -- the are at North Country Rd & Bennetts.
*Have dinner clubs where we meet at different restaurants.
*Belong to car clubs
*Belong to running clubs, cycling clubs

This area is great because there is a strong undercurrent of civic, historic & local pride -- and this feeling is not exclusive to the Stony Brook/Setauket area -- Mr. CB is a passionate cheerleader for Rocky Point, an area that is dear to me as I had lived there for a while and was happy as a clam (sorry Clamboy, couldn't help myself )

I am assuming that you're in your twenties. Once out here and on campus, you will discover a world of activities at your doorstep and new social networking outlets to discover. Many people go to check out live music and jazz in Port Jeff and there's a funky little coffee house in St James that has an open mic night with many fantastic local musicians. You can assure your significant other that the Three Village area is not a cultural morass.

Please feel free to message me privately for more detailed info.

Good luck with everything.